Classy & Elegant Wedding at Barclay Villa

The bride knew that black, gold, and white would be the colors for their wedding at Barclay Villa, because those colors are very classy and elegant.

Tell us about your proposal:

Our proposal happened on a random day and which I was having a horrible day. I wasn’t feeling good and stressed about work. Johnathan came home just to make sure I was okay. He didn’t plan to propose that day but it just seemed like the right timing. He got down on one knee in our home and asked me would I be his wife. The first thing I said was, “Did you ask my parents,” lol. He laughed and said of course. I mean he knew I was going to say yes.

Wedding Prep at Barclay Villa

Tell us about your ceremony venue and what attracted you to it?

I was struggling to find the best venue for what we wanted. So in December, on my actual birthday, my mom and I set up an appointment to see Barclay Villa, and from the moment we drove up, I knew that was our wedding venue. Yes, I picked the venue without Johnathan being there but he was cool with it because they had a pool table for the guys. Danielle was very welcoming and worked with us in any way we needed it. I could definitely see my Fairytale Wedding happening there. We booked right there on the spot.

Wedding at Barclay Villa

How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception?

For the ceremony, we used a circular seating pattern with the focal point being a backdrop with an imprinted custom logo by Designs by Deveraux. Then transformed the space with the room flip using the same backdrop and sweetheart table as focal point… topped with Calla lily center pieces, and tile placeholders each guest could take as a parting gift produced by Courtney and co.

Tell us about your bridesmaids:

My bridesmaids are my family. They were there when I needed them. If you ask them I was a calm bride, lol. I love those girls.

Tell us about his groomsmen:

A collection of friends and family. Over 20 years of friendship!

Wedding at Barclay Villa

Click here to see more Barclay Villa Weddings we’ve photographed over the years.

Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?

We had memorial candles for our grandparents who are no longer with us. During the ceremony, Pastor Nolan Davis also did a special part for Johnathan, his children, and I which had everyone crying. Pretty much me dedicating myself to being a second mom for Jaeda and Jaylen and always being there and respected them and the same for them. I love my bonus kids with all my heart.

How did you choose your wedding day look? How did the groom? Describe both looks in detail (include dress & tux designer).

I just knew I was going to wear a mermaid style dress but none of them were standing out to me. I googled different shops in North Carolina and after going to a few I stumbled on Thornbury Brides in New Bern, NC, which is about 2 hours away from Raleigh. When I tell you they have some of the most beautiful dresses there. I will recommend them to anyone. The dress I picked I actually had a screenshot of and once I tried it on it was a wrap. The water works came.

For Johnathan, he actually went through one of my good friends, Jamison Sanders of The Robert Jamison Collection to get a custom tux. Johnathan already got a suit from Jamison so he knew that he would also get his tux from him as well. It wasn’t hard for him at all.

Any bridesmaids and/or groomsmen gifts? Any wedding favors:

Our wedding favor was actually tile with each guest name on it and the table number. My sister in law and I worked for a week straight on them. Long nights.

What were the florals like at your wedding?

My bouquet was white hydrangeas and white roses with cascading accents of white phalaenopsis orchids. My bridesmaids carried 3 long stem calla lillie’s. We used this during the reception as well it was a modern chic look.

Tell us about your wedding photography:

Dajuan of In His Image did an awesome job. He is now family! He made us feel comfortable and our pictures have us speechless. I can’t stop looking at them. He was very professional. If you need a photographer for your wedding day, look no further!

Wedding Reception at Barclay Villa

Tell us about your wedding planner:

Sabrina and her team outdid themselves. When I tell you if there was anything that I needed they were there to do it. She took the stress away. I could call, text and email them anytime and they responded back with no hesitation. She made this process easy and I’m still texting her to this day, lol. I’m a hands-on bride that stresses out easily so Johnathan made me get a planner, and I’m glad he did. I was already going to use Sabrina but happy I did it for the whole process.

Tell us about your cake.

I actually found the cake on Pinterest asked Brie from Cake Couture if she could execute it and she did just that. The flavors of our cake was strawberries and cream, cinnamon roll and cookies and cream.

Favorite item on the reception menu:

EVERYTHING from the food to the cake was bomb! Cake Couture is your goto person if you’re in North Carolina.

What songs did you choose for your wedding ceremony and reception, and why:

For our wedding ceremony and reception, we had DJ Paradime from Cool Receptions. During the ceremony Johnathan and his two best men came out to “So Fresh and so Clean”. Our parents and my grandmother came out to Jason Nelson’s “Forever”. Our wedding party came out to Leela James “Fall for you”. And I came down the steps with my brother to meet my dad halfway to Maurette Brown-Clark “The One He Kept for Me”. which was sung by Danyelle Sanders. The recessional song was John Legend’s “A Good Night”. Onto the reception, the bridesmaids came out to “Bad and Boujee” and the groomsmen came out to Jay Rock “Win”. My little ladies did Drake “In my Feelings” and the boys did Yella Bezzy “That’s on Me”. Of course when they announced us we had to come out to UGK International Players Anthem which had the crowd hype. Our First dance was to Mint Condition “You Send Me Swigin’” and everyone was singing. My father and I danced to Steve Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely”. Johnathan and his mother danced to The Intruders “I’ll Always Love My Mama” and we had the DJ mix it up to 2 Chainz “Proud”. After all that everyone was ready to party.

And your videographer:

Our videographer was Tyson and Lennox and we can’t wait to see the magic he has in store for us. He was very professional and down to earth.

Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?

Get a wedding planner it takes the load off of you.

What is your fondest memory from your wedding day?

The whole day was magical. It was everything we wanted.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?

The wedding can lead to a litany of emotions, make sure happiness is most used, regardless of situation.

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Wedding Planner: Sabrina Seymore Events

Wedding Venue: Barclay Villa

Photography: In His Image Photography

Designer: Designs by Devereux

Entertainment: Cool Receptions

Catering + Desert: Cake Couture Boutique